Vanuatu's Galaxy XI make early statement as OFC Champions League kicks off in Fiji

Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC have made one of the biggest statements of the opening weekend of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Men’s Champions League.

The visitors put four goals past hosts Rewa FC of Fiji at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

A hat-trick from Brazilian forward Willian Dos Santos Medina helped Galaxy to a 4-1 win and sent an early warning to the rest of the tournament.

Galaxy coach Batram Suri had expected a tough opening against the hosts, especially with the Rewa crowd behind them.

“We expect a tough challenge from Rewa FC in the first match, and their home crowd,” he said ahead of the game.

Galaxy struck first after just four minutes when Andrew Malakai’s long-range effort took a deflection and looped over the Rewa goalkeeper.

Dos Santos Medina then took over, scoring just before half-time before adding another seven minutes into the second half.

Rewa pulled one back through Gabiriele Matanisiga in the 58th minute but the Fijian side could not build on it.

Dos Santos Medina completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot four minutes from full-time to give Galaxy a perfect start.

Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC celebrate their 4-1 win over Fiji’s Rewa FC in their opening OFC Men’s Champions League match in Lautoka. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

The result is a tough opening for the hosts, who came into the tournament with one of the most experienced squads.

Galaxy coach Batram Suri had warned his side to expect a difficult test from Rewa and the home crowd. Instead, his team left with all three points.

PNG's Lae City also start with four

Papua New Guinea champions Lae City FC also made a strong opening statement, beating Cook Islands representatives Tupapa Maraerenga FC 4-1.

Teenager Solomon Kamake opened the scoring after 17 minutes before an own goal from Tupapa defender Shane Tuteru doubled Lae City's lead just before half-time.

Nalau Moses then made it 3-0 early in the second half with Moses heavily involved in Lae City's attack.

Tupapa refused to give up and Tremaine Rimene-Albrett pulled one back in the 72nd minute, the Cook Islands club's first Champions League goal since 2019.

But Lae City had the final say with Ruel Api scoring in added time to seal the win.

It gives Lae City an ideal start in their seventh Champions League campaign while Tupapa will need points from their remaining matches to keep their knockout hopes alive.

Lae City coach Valentine Nelson knows his young side still face a tough road ahead.

“We’re in a group with some very experienced teams and are expecting a challenge from all three teams. We’ll be focusing on one match at a time.”

New Caledonia's AS Tiga Sport players celebrate their late 1-0 win over Tahiti’s AS Vénus in their OFC Men’s Champions League opener in Lautoka on Monday. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

Late drama in Group A

There was also a tight opening in Group A with AS Tiga Sport from New Caledonia edging AS Vénus of Tahiti 1-0.

After a goalless opening 88 minutes, substitute Jean-Yves Saiko struck with a diving header in the 89th minute to give Tiga Sport all three points.

It is a big result for the New Caledonian side, who reached the semi-finals last year and came into the tournament without any players from the new OFC Pro League.

The tournament continues in Fiji with the remaining Group A sides, Auckland City and Solomon Islands champions Central Coast FC, beginning their campaigns on Monday.

Auckland City are chasing a 14th title and have won the competition four years in a row while Central Coast return for their third appearance.

The Solomon Islands side have strengthened their squad with nine players from OFC Pro League club Solomon Kings FC including Rafa Lea’i, Bobby Leslie and Junior David.

The group stage continues through the week with the top two teams from each group moving into the semi-finals.

The OFC Men’s Champions League runs until 22 August with matches being played in Lautoka and Ba. All matches are being streamed live and free through FIFA+ via DAZN. For more details, click here.